We take a look at the synth instruments that were used to soundtrack the cult phenomenon and give you help and guidance on how to achieve similar sounds using analog emulation VST Synths.
Before we go on, lets set the expectation on the article below. In no way is this a guide as to how to create an inch perfect to copy of the soundtrack. The article is aimed to inform on the instruments used and then a list of plugins which are available to emulate these sounds along with some additional effects. What this is not is a music score allowing you to recreate the soundtrack! Now that’s clear, lets go back in time to the 1980’s.
Table of Contents
What Synthesizers Were Used On Stranger Things?
Electronic duo Michael Stein and Kyle Dixon who make up the electro band Survive are the brains behind the sound of Stranger Things. From research I have done collating information from previous interviews they have been involved in, they discussed that there were 4 key synthesisers used on the audio production of Stranger Things, notably:
- Roland Jupiter 8
- Sequential Circuits Prophet 5
- Roland SH-2
- ARP 2600
I’ve compiled for each a list of VST synths that could be used as a replacement/emulation, with a high-level overview of each synth discussed and summed up as follows: (credit to VintageSynth.com)
Roland Jupiter 8
The Jupiter-8 was on of the first professional synths produced by Roland and hits gold on the Stranger Things VST synths list.
The Jupiter-8 was featuring 16 rich analogue oscillators at 2 per voice, eight voice polyphony and its key selling point was the easy programming available on it. At eight voices you can get some pretty thick analogue sounds.
Easy and intuitive programming via front panel sliders, knobs and buttons for all your tweaking needs. The legacy of the Jupiter synthesizers is due to their unique voice architecture and design, creating sounds that were so unreal and amazing that they have to be heard!
VST Emulations
| Device | Emulation Quality | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Roland Cloud | Accurate down to the circuit level | $9.99 / month |
| U-He Diva | No native preset, but achievable | $179 |
| Arturia V Collection | Uses Arturia’s unrivalled analogue modelling | $599 |
| TAL-J-8 | Authentic emulation of the 80’s hardware synthesizer. | $80 |
We start on the Jupiter 8, which has two available versions that can be used. Managing to be simultaneously fat, airy and crystal clear, Jup-8 V from Arturia uses their unrivalled analogue modelling technology to deliver the full head-turning sound that defined countless recordings to this day.
The second version of the Roland Jupiter 8 unsurprisingly is delivered from Roland and available via Roland Cloud. Roland Cloud is a subscription based VST platform and would require the Pro subscription at a minimum to get the Virtual Instrument available to you.
Other offerings which are available are the TAL J-8 and also U-He Diva.
Sequential Circuits Prophet 5
One of the first fully programmable polyphonic analogue synths, the Prophet 5 is the most classic synthesizer of the eighties! It is also a key member of the Stranger Things synths list.
It is capable of a delightful analogue sound unique to Sequential’s Prophet series in which the P5 was King! Five voice polyphony – two oscillators per voice and a white noise generator.
The analogue filters, envelope and LFO all sound great and are extremely flexible. The P5 had patch memory storage as well, which scanned and memorised every knob setting for storing and recalling your sounds – a desperately needed feature at the time!
VST Emulations
The Prophet 5 was a staple of the 80’s synth game and is an absolute classic. The choices available again are from Arturia and U-He but also there is also a free version available.
| Device | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Arturia Collection | Accurate recreation | $599 |
| U-He Repro 5 | Contains Repro 1 & Repro 5 | $149 |
| Prophanity | Free VST | FREE |
Roland SH-2
The SH-2 is one of Roland’s early synthesizers. It is very simple in design, look and function and plays a key role in the low notes for our Stranger Things VST synths list. It sounds much like the SH-101 synth, including the typical SH-style sub-oscillator.
But the SH-2 employed 2 oscillators for a much fatter sound. It has the typical Roland SH sound – it’s a monophonic bass synth that’s flexible enough to provoke punchy analogue basses, leads and squelchy sounds.
The oscillators can be de-tuned as well, another feature the popular SH-101 lacks. But it isn’t very pretty to look at as it shares the same design and layout as the SH09. Still it makes a simple and easily programmable mono-synth that can be used in place of the more common SH-101.
However the SH-2 is harder to find and so it usually has a higher price than other SH-type synthesizers from Roland. It has been used by Duran Duran, Groove Corporation, Eat Static, OMD, Men Without Hats, and the Eurythmics. Check out the Stranger Things VST synths list below for options available.
VST Emulations
I really struggled to find any other options for a VST emulation for the Roland SH-2 apart from the offering from Roland themselves within Roland Cloud.
The SH-2 was a punchy and squelchy analogue bassline synth so we may need to look at other options rather than a direct SH-2 emulation. Tools such as Novation Bass Station are free now, and will give you the sound you are looking for.
In addition to some dirt or distortion then a similar effect can be achieved of that of the SH-2. Other options include TAL Bassline. Still punchy, the TAL-Bassline is a virtual analogue bass synthesizer especially made for bass, acid sounds and effects. It’s based on a robust core and has the usual controls of analogue hardware synthesizers.
ARP 2600
The Korg ARP 2600 is without a doubt one of the finest analogue synthesizers ever produced. It plays the main role for arpeggio sounds in our Stranger Things synths list. For decades, it has been used in all forms of music and in the hands of many famous artists.
This unique semi-modular monophonic synthesizer was designed for professionals but was also user-friendly enough to be used as a teaching instrument.
The 2600, in fact ARP as a whole, competed directly against the synthesizer systems coming from Moog throughout the 1970’s. The 2600 was ARP’s answer to the modular system, creating a more compact, more stable and more intuitive synthesizer.
VST Emulations
| VST | Emulation Quality | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Arturia ARP2600V | Accurate recreation | £126 |
| Arppe2600va | Actually sounds very close to the original ARP 2600 | FREE |
| Cherry Audio CA2600 | Excellent emulation | £20 |
The original and best, the ARP 2600 is the staple sound of Stranger Things. Our range again is limited as to VST versions, however we do have 2 paid options and one free version. An emulation to suit all budgets.
More Tips to get the typical 80’s sound
In addition to the actual synths, getting the big 80’s sound can also be achieved with some more techniques. Try some of these tips in your productions to get the big sound.
Big Delays
Putting a big delay on everything was the key part of getting the typical 80’s sound. Built-in effects are often a big part of the sound of vintage instruments, so experiment with them before splashing out on additional VST delay plugins.
You may well find that the VST synths you use have some excellent build in delays and reverb which can be integrated and automated in to your mixes.
Dial these in using automation to make the effects appear in the mix gradually and help build tension.
Retro Plugins: Eventide H910
The Eventide H910 was a device being used and experimented with throughout the course of the 1980’s. The reverb and voice effects on offer were used by many artists of that era.
The effect also helps you get the monster voices from the characters from the “other side”. This is achieved by splitting the signal into 3 voices, separating the octaves out and adding some distortion and reverb and/or delay on to the lower voices.
Tape Effects
Tape effect plugins are aplenty in the market and all offer various emulation of products and can be used alongside the synths above. Taking this into account, it is worthwhile looking at some effects from the era such as VHS and analogue tape machine emulations.
One I can recommend to help achieve an 80’s sound is Super VHS from Baby Audio. It combines six colourful effects to bring an authentic 1980’s retro vibe to your tracks and makes your instruments and beats sound like they were sampled off an old VHS tape.
Baby Audio also have a great emulation called TAIP which you can use to bring saturation and the analogue sound to your productions.
Martin is the founder of the blog Part Time Producer. He’s a Bitwig Studio expert and helps artists with limited time and resources to make great music through simple production tutorials.